With or without an injured knee, Aaron Rodgers poses the biggest threat to the Minnesota Vikings getting a win in Week 2.
In the summer of 1977, Robert Ward penned an infamous story about New York Yankees slugger Reggie Jackson. Mired in a feud with Thurman Munson, Jackson declared himself as “The Straw That Stirs The Drink” or, in other words, the player that makes everything else go.
Although Jackson has denied saying those words, the definition of the phrase couldn’t be more true when describing the Green Bay Packers and quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
With him, the Packers are one of the most dangerous teams in the NFC. Without him, they look like something out of The Replacements.
Minnesota Vikings
That’s why, even though he is recovering from a knee injury suffered against the Chicago Bears in Week 1, Rodgers is the one player the Minnesota Vikings should have their eyes on heading into an early-season showdown on Sunday.
Throughout his career, no player has tormented the Vikings more than Aaron Rodgers. Although he owns a 12-7 mark in 19 career starts against Minnesota, he has seemingly been invincible, throwing for 39 touchdowns and just six interceptions in those games.
A large reason for this is Rodgers’ ability to scramble to not only extend the play, but also make defense pay for solely trying to defend his passing ability.
“It’s tremendous,” Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer said of Rodgers on Monday. “I still remember when I played him in a preseason game in Cincinnati. He ducked under a guy, spun, rolled to his right and threw a 30-yard dart on the sideline over there and I said ‘Holy crap.’”
It’s been throws like that which have made Rodgers one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL. In fact, Minnesota fans have probably been made well aware of his highlights which have included plays such as the ones Zimmer described and his Hail Mary throws answered by the heavens.
As the Vikings prepare to face Rodgers in Week 2, they may have a slight advantage thanks to his injury. If his knee is still bothering him, there’s a good chance that his mobility won’t be on par from what we’ve seen in the past.
Although he also has one of the best left tackles in the league in David Bakhtari, the Packers’ line has also had its share of injury scares throughout the preseason. Meaning Minnesota’s front four could have a shot of getting to him without chasing him around the field.
The best way to try to stop Rodgers on Sunday will be to bring as much pressure as possible. With the inability to get away from a pass rush, a confined Rodgers could be low hanging fruit for Danielle Hunter, Everson Griffen, and yes, even Anthony Barr.
Pressure didn’t seem to phase the Green Bay quarterback in Week 1 against the Bears as he threw for 286 yards and three touchdowns mainly on one leg. However, he also chucked up a gift to Chicago cornerback Kyle Fuller that was promptly dropped on the turf in the final minutes.
If the Vikings can send what they have to stop Rodgers, it could put a kink the straw that stirs the Green Bay drink (which has to be Miller Lite, right?).